1903
- Stanford Memorial Church (pictured) at Stanford University, designed by architect Charles A. Coolidge, is dedicated
- George A. Wyman becomes the first person to ride a motorcycle (and the first using any motor vehicle) across the US, from San Francisco to New York City
- The Alameda Free Library is completed
- The California Pelican student humor magazine begins publishing at the University of California, Berkeley
- Pittsburg is incorporated in Contra Costa County